1856 Pacific Express Company sign

[historyhunter]

Well I found this doing my thang this summer. Turns out they were only in busines for 2 years 1855-1857. They were started by a defunct group of expediters and after 2 years bought out by Wells Fargo. Here is there Money Order sign for the Depot station. I was told in great shape this would bringg 800 or more. However not in perfect shape but still good for around 160 years old and been in the river.

 

[historyhunter]

The holes have some Iron deposit from corrosion but I can still hang it with spacers and 2 lag bolts like intended.

 

[historyhunter]

Some more unexpected discoveries.

 

[Bixel]

I hate to be the bearer of bad new, nor come off as a asshole but that sign does not look to be 1856-1858.

Upon doing a quick search, I found this, dated 1911:


http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60816FF3E5517738DDDA90B94DF405B818DF1D3

 

[historyhunter]

No worries on the bearer of bad news. I sent photos to a Wells Fargo Collector and an appraiser. Neither indicated exact age but I also have 2 more links that put and 1895 date and 1872 date for their operation. ALSO their may have been 2 or 3 under the name?????IDK but here is another link Ive read and contacted the caretaker.

http://www.westerncoversociety.com/library/expresses/expresses_32.htm

 

[LC]

Regardless of age , its a nice vintage flange sign . Definitely a keeper . I am wondering when money orders first became available .

 

[surfaceone]

Hey Louis,

Good question.

"
The money order system was invented by a private English company in the first half of the eighteenth century. The idea, however, did not get good hold and was abandoned about a century later. While the first money order service was expensive, in 1836, it was sold to another company that lowered the fees. This policy line increased the popularity of the service while still making the product reasonable profitable. Noting the profitability and success of the system, the Post Office took over it in 1838. The further reduction of fees made the system increasingly popular. Luckily, at that time it was transplanted in Continental Europe, India, and the United States and since then, it has become one of the most popular methods for transferring money around the globe." From
http://www.financialdictionary.net/define/Money+Order/

From http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2010/02/now-thats-price-inflation.html with some different dates...

 

[LC]

Good evening Surf , out of curiousity , I went to good old Google and tried a search concerning the history of money orders . I found that the money order system was established by a private firm in Great Britain in 1792 , and most else what I found is pretty much the same as what you came up with . Did not help too much in the attempt to try and date the sign .

 

[historyhunter]

No but the 1830s being used in America does put money orders in the 1850 and 1890s. So it at least eliminates an eliminator LOL

 

[historyhunter]

Actually now I will try to see when the depot was built.